ISLAND BATIK AUGUST CHALLENGE WINNERS

This summer has been challenging emotionally for me. Working on the Island Batik project has helped me cope with the deterioration of my mother. Usually a very private person, I have had to tell people I work with that I have not been able to keep up with many of the projects that I have had to do. On September 6, my mother passed away. She had a wonderful life. Her and my father had the perfect marriage. He called her his "bride" for over 70 years. She will be missed terribly.

I'm sure many of you have wondered whether or not I have picked any winners that I said I would for all of the blogs related to this challenge. So I will make a quick announcement and give the winners here and email them. If I do not hear from any of them, I will pick new ones.

The first two winners from parts 1 and 2 won some batik fabric bundles. They are Kathleen McMusing and Quilter (she did not leave her name). Congratulations ladies.

The 3rd winner from the final part three is Deb Thuman. She won a fat 8th bundle and my Cutting Corners template set. Congratulations Deb!!!

I did play with some other ideas with this block. I wanted to see what I could design from just the flower tops. These are what I came up with. 

Then I thought about adding another block that was similar to the bottom of the flower.

And the third option was to make a smaller version of the original quilt that I could teach.

So what do you think? Are there any of these versions that you would like to do? I am having templates made of the flower tops so you don't need to make your own and if you don't want to paper piece you don't have to. Would you take this workshop?

Thanks for following me. The Summer Breeze pattern is now available in pdf or printed form now. If you order the printed form, you will get the freezer paper foundation sections to make the quilt. SUMMER BREEZE

Leaving town tomorrow to teach at the AQS show in Virginia Beach. I will mail the prizes when I get back. If you plan to be at the show, please look me up. I will be doing some demonstrations for my book and iQuilt video.
AQS VIRGINIA BEACH SHOW

As always, do what you love and love what you do. Thanks for reading. Please feel free to share.

Hearth and Home Block of the Month - Month 1

I frequently work with many of the fabric companies designing quilts to go with their new fabric collections. RJR is one of those companies that I do a lot of commission work for. They always have such beautiful fabrics that are easy to design with. In the beginning of the year they sent me a fabric collection called Family Roots which I immediately started playing with on my EQ8. I had been doing some sampler quilts with some previous companies (Soldier's Quilt) and collections so I thought I would try to do another one. I came upon with this concept. I love using log cabins in quilts and felt that this was an unusual setting that was different than other BOMs that I have seen.

RJR liked it and submitted the design to Missouri Star Quilt Company. They liked it too! So they picked it up and are selling it on their website. It is a nine month series and Missouri Star will be selling the kits each month for the next nine months. There are 13 fabrics in the quilt. Two of them come from a different fabric collection called Falls Majesty. You can purchase the first month's kit here: Hearth and Home BOM.

Each month you will receive the fabric in fat eighths, fat quarters or regular yardage to make the block(s) for that month. The pattern will include instructions for each block. To save me from having to print too many pages, I have designed cutting charts for each of the fabrics in pdf form. To receive the cutting charts you can use the contact form on this page to request them.

Each month I will be doing a short tutorial on piecing one or more of the blocks. If there is more than one technique that I will be discussing, I will divide it up into two or three separate tutorials. I will not be discussing cutting instructions or specific block piecing instructions. Those are in the pattern and you will have to purchase it with the kit if you want to make it.

To start off, before I talk about the blocks, I think it is important to discuss your 1/4" seam allowance. If you have not seen my Youtube video yet, here it is on how to establish an accurate 1/4" seam.

Because most of these blocks have numerous pieces, accuracy is very important. I always set my seam and make a test block with my own fabric. (You don't want to cut up the good fabric yet!) Measure each section for accuracy. It is easier to make adjustments at this level before sewing the parts together. Once you get that established you don't have to make any more test blocks. If you want to purchase my seam guide you can find it here: Perfect 1/4" Seam Guide.

Month 1 includes Blocks 1 and 2 and the connecting block (log cabin).

    

Block 1 has no special instructions. It is basically made of half-square and quarter square triangles sewn together. Just be sure to size up each section to the specifications of the pattern.

Block 2 has Half-Square triangles and Chevrons. The squares for the half-square triangles are cut slightly larger than needed so that once you piece them you can trim the patches down to size. You can either draw a line on the backs of the lighter fabric, sew 1/4" on each side of the line, cut apart and then trim the square to the size listed, or just cut them into triangles, sew them together and then trim it to the size listed. Don't be afraid of sewing on the bias. Just let the sewing machine do it's job and don't stretch the edge as you sew. I always add a pin at the end of the triangle so that the edges stay together when I sew it.

The Chevron patch is made with squares and rectangles. Again you can draw a line on the backs of the squares, sew on the line and then trim the seam to 1/4" or you can use my "Cutting Corners" template set to trim the corners and then sew with a 1/4" seam allowance. You can purchase my Cutting Corners template set here: Cutting Corners. It can be used a lot with the blocks in this quilt. 

                      

I'll save tips for the log cabin connecting block for the next blog. 

DRAWING

As an introduction to this quilt I will be having a drawing for some fat eighths of the collection. If you would like to be in the drawing simply leave a comment at the end of this blog. You do not have to purchase the BOM kit to be in the drawing but you don't want to miss out on making this fantastic quilt! I will draw a name on September 2. Good luck.

As always, do what you love and love what you do. Thank you for reading and be sure to share this with your quilting friends. Toby.

ISLAND BATIK AMBASSADOR AUGUST CHALLENGE PART 3

The Great Outdoors Blog hop

The great outdoors are what inspired the this hop’s theme. Throughout the month of August, our Ambassadors will be featuring Island Batik’s newest fabrics, appearing on shop shelves SOON! See something you like? Ask for it at your local quilt shop, or request it if you don’t yet see it. We have the most delicious collections to share with you!

Today is my day and as usual I was down to the wire. I put the binding on the quilt at 9:00 last night. I don't think I have ever put on a binding on as quick a time as I did this one. ****Be sure to read all the way to the end so you learn how you can be eligible to win a fat quarter batik bundle and my Cutting Corners template set and a strip pack from Island Batik.****

Before I reveal the quilt I want to show how I made the second part of the block. The patches that attaches to the flower have triangles on the ends of them. They are made with squares. You can draw a line on the backs of the squares and sew on the drawn line or you can do what I do and use my "Cutting Corners" template set.

Place the square on the right end of the smaller rectangle strip. Make sure that the edges are perfectly lined up.

Using the triangle in the set, line up the edge of the triangle on the left edge of the square with the top of the triangle even with the top of the square. The diagonal line should go through the bottom right corner.

Using your rotary cutter, trim off the corner and sew with a 1/4" seam.

You will repeat the process with the longer strip except place the strip vertically with the square at the top of the strip. 

                                    

You will end up with a left and right strip.

You piece the rest of the block like a log cabin.

                                             

I was working on this quilt during a quilt retreat called "Summer Breeze" so I asked the group what should I call the quilt and they said call it "Summer Breeze" after the retreat! I pieced many of the blocks at the retreat so I laid down the pieces to see what they would look like. ( I was still missing 4 blocks.)

I then thought, what would it look like with white sashing strips? I definitely liked this version better.

After I got home, I finished the blocks and put it on my design wall. I couldn't decide on whether I wanted to put on a border or not so I cut some strips to see what it would look like with a border. I also added four orange corner stones where the flowers came together.

Without borders

With borders

I decided to go ahead with the small border. Here it is on my quilting machine. I decided to quilt the background with small circles to match the border print (which is actually bubbles).

So.......here is the finished quilt! It is 57" square with an 8" block.

A close-up of the quilting

I really had fun making this one. I decided to make a pattern of it so I am offering a special discount if you preorder the pattern. (It will take me a couple weeks to write it.) The pattern will come with enough freezer paper sheets to make the 24 blocks. So for a limited time you can get the pattern for $12 (regular price will be $15 with the foundation papers). I will make the pattern available in pdf form after it is written. It will be $12 regular price.

You can preorder the pattern here: Summer Breeze Pattern.

I used 25 fabrics from the collection. 5 groups of 5 fabrics. It was my surprise bundle in my box from them. You can see the whole collection here:
Ocean Odyssey by Island Batik. 

ISLAND BATIK GIVEAWAY

Island Batik is giving away three strip packs in their Rafflecopter, just follow this link.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GATEWAY QUILTS GIVEAWAY

I will be having a drawing for a fat eighth bundle of the collection and my Cutting Corners template set. Just leave a comment to be in the drawing. I will draw a name a week from today (August 27). Be sure to leave your email so that I can contact you if you win. US only due to shipping charges.

As always: Do what you love and love what you do. Feel free to share my blog with your quilting friends. Thank you for reading. Toby

Be sure to check out the other blog posts especially Karen Overton's who also used Ocean Odyssey in her quilt.

Monday, August 6 - All A Flutter - Yellow Cat Quilt Designs, Creative Blonde

Tuesday, August 7 - Birds N’ Bees - Ark Angel Creations, Patterns By Jen

Wednesday, August 8 - Canterbury Manor - Sally Manke, Powered By Quilting

Thursday, August 9 - Eclectic Garden - Desert Bloom Quilting, Sew Karen-ly Created

Friday, August 10 - Vintage Morris - MooseStash Quilting, Devoted Quilter

Monday, August 13 - Safari - Sew Incredibly Crazy, SweetGrass Designs

Tuesday, August 14 - Spring Blossoms - Mary Mack Made Mine, If These Threads Could Talk

Wednesday, August 15 - Victoria and Albert - Bejeweled Quilts, Clever Chameleon

Thursday, August 16 - Wild Things - Freemotion By The River, Kauffman Designs

Friday, August 17 - Petting Zoo - Den Syende Himmel, Sarah Goer Quilts

Monday, August 20 - Ocean Odyssey - Gateway Quilts, The Quilt Rambler

Tuesday, August 21 - British Rose - Busy Hands Quilts, Mania for Quilts

Wednesday, August 22 - Dear William - The Inquiring Quilter, mmm! Quilts, Living Water Quilter

Thursday, August 23 - Dragonfly Dreams - Inchworm Fabrics, BeaQuilter

Friday, August 24 - Fur-ocious Friends - Quilting Affection Designs, Dizzy Quilter

Monday, August 27 - Globetrotter - Pamela Quilts, Curliecue Creations

Tuesday, August 28 - Jungle Cruise - Vicki's Crafts and Quilting, Little Bunny Quilts

Wednesday, August 29 - Lavendula - Carole Lyles Shaw, Masterpiece Quilting

Thursday, August 30 - London Calling - Quilt in a Not-Shell, Lizard Creek Quilting

Friday, August 31 - Spirit Rhythm - Steph Jacobson, Whispers of Yore

Monday, September 3 - Sweet Tweets - Kathleen McMusing, Adventurous Applique and Quilting

Tuesday, September 4 - Whatnot - heARTS Creations, Slice of Pi Quilts

ISLAND BATIK AUGUST CHALLENGE PART 2

THE GREAT OUTDOOR CHALLENGE

Welcome back! Today I will show you how I get ready to sew my paper pieced patterns and how I use freezer paper as my foundation so I don't have to tear paper off at the end. I know I have shown this in previous blogs but in case you missed them here it is again.

You can use your inkjet printer to print the foundation section on freezer paper. I sell 8-1/2" x 11" sheets on my website (Freezer paper sheets). Before printing on the freezer paper check to see how the paper is fed so that you end up printing on the paper side not the shiny side. Write an "X" on one side of the paper and feed it through. That way you can see which side is being printed on.

The first thing I do is make a template for each of the sections of my foundation. I do this because I want to have as little waste as possible and so that I know the piece I cut will fit properly in the space. I use heavy template plastic for this.

After making the templates I measure the length of the template and cut a strip of fabric that is 1/2" larger than it. Or you can just use scraps as long as they are big enough.

When I cut out the pieces I use an Add-a-Quarter or Add-an-Eighth ruler (also available on my website) all the way around it so that the piece is slightly bigger than the section.

I do this for all of the templates in the set. I try to cut out all of my pieces so that when I am ready to sew, I don't have to stop. (That is if I do the math correct!) Some of the pieces have a right and left section so if I cut them with the fabric wrong sides together, I will get a left and right cut at the same time. Because you don't have to worry about accuracy you can cut multiple layers at a time.

The first step in using freezer paper is to get the iron hot. Then iron the first piece, wrong side of fabric to the shiny side of the paper. Don't hold the iron on too long or it will make the freezer paper hard to remove. (The edge of the fabric is poking out of the edge of the paper.)

   

Next, fold back the paper along the line between 1 and 2. I used the long template to help crease the paper along that line. Trim your seam to 1/4" using the Add-a-Quarter ruler. The small ledge on the ruler bumps up against the fold of the paper.

Before lining up the next fabric patch right sides together, to the cut edge, I check to make sure that my piece is facing the same direction as the image on the paper. Then I place them right sides together, checking to see that I have fabric covering the seam allowance on both ends.

      

Now instead of folding the paper back, I leave it folded and sew as close to the fold as possible. I don't have to change my stitch length but I do usually sew at a 2.0. I use an open toe foot so I can see it better and move my needle all the way to the right.

Finger press the fabric along the seam, turn the paper over and then iron that section to the freezer paper.

       

Repeat this process for every section. I have a mantra I say: "Press, Fold, Trim, Sew". That way I don't forget a step! When I get all of the center pieces on, I go ahead and trim the seam allowance on the last 3 sections to get ready to sew the background on.

Once I have finished my entire section. I place the 1/4" line of the ruler on the 1/4" seam line on the foundation and trim all of the way around. I can then take off my freezer paper and it is ready to use for the next set. Since it has been folded once, I don't need to use a card to fold it along the lines anymore. 

                                   

To make the process go quicker, I will chain sew 4 or 5 at a time, sewing the same section on each time. Here are the 5 different combinations I put together. (It is hard to see the white background against my design wall.)

In the next blog I will show how to sew those little triangles on the ends of the logs using squares and how to put the whole block together.

Be sure to leave a comment if you want to be in a drawing for a batik fabric bundle of this collection. Don't forget to leave some contact information so I can contact you if you get chosen. (USA only due to shipping charges.)

As always: Do what you love and love what you do.

Check out the other Ambassadors and their blogs.

Monday, August 6 - All A Flutter - Yellow Cat Quilt Designs, Creative Blonde

Tuesday, August 7 - Birds N’ Bees - Ark Angel Creations, Patterns By Jen

Wednesday, August 8 - Canterbury Manor - Sally Manke, Powered By Quilting

Thursday, August 9 - Eclectic Garden - Desert Bloom Quilting, Sew Karen-ly Created

Friday, August 10 - Vintage Morris - MooseStash Quilting, Devoted Quilter

Monday, August 13 - Safari - Sew Incredibly Crazy, SweetGrass Designs

Tuesday, August 14 - Spring Blossoms - Mary Mack Made Mine, If These Threads Could Talk

Wednesday, August 15 - Victoria and Albert - Bejeweled Quilts, Clever Chameleon

Thursday, August 16 - Wild Things - Freemotion By The River, Kauffman Designs

Friday, August 17 - Petting Zoo - Den Syende Himmel, Sarah Goer Quilts

Monday, August 20 - Ocean Odyssey - Gateway Quilts, The Quilt Rambler

Tuesday, August 21 - British Rose - Busy Hands Quilts, Mania for Quilts

Wednesday, August 22 - Dear William - The Inquiring Quilter, mmm! Quilts, Living Water Quilter

Thursday, August 23 - Dragonfly Dreams - Inchworm Fabrics, BeaQuilter

Friday, August 24 - Fur-ocious Friends - Quilting Affection Designs, Dizzy Quilter

Monday, August 27 - Globetrotter - Pamela Quilts, Curliecue Creations

Tuesday, August 28 - Jungle Cruise - Vicki's Crafts and Quilting, Little Bunny Quilts

Wednesday, August 29 - Lavendula - Carole Lyles Shaw, Masterpiece Quilting

Thursday, August 30 - London Calling - Quilt in a Not-Shell, Lizard Creek Quilting

Friday, August 31 - Spirit Rhythm - Steph Jacobson, Whispers of Yore

Monday, September 3 - Sweet Tweets - Kathleen McMusing, Adventurous Applique and Quilting

Tuesday, September 4 - Whatnot - heARTS Creations, Slice of Pi Quilts

Expiration Date: 08/19/2018
Restrictions: Exclusions apply. Please see additional terms and conditions in coupon